Oil & Gas flaring: NOSDRA, SDN partnership to enhance environmental stewardship - NaijaAgroNet

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The National Oil Spill Detection Response Agency (NOSDRA) and Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN), a non-governmental organization with its headquarters in the United Kingdom have expressed their firm commitment to consolidate on the gains of their ongoing partnership in the interest of clean and sustainable environmental management in Nigeria’s petroleum industry.

This assurance was given on Wednesday when the Executive Director of SDN, Adam Heal, and his team paid a courtesy visit to the Director-General/Chief Executive of NOSDRA, Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke, in the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.

RivExcel, Neuro Spinal enter strategic partnership - NaijaAgroNet

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Leading international medical tourism facilitator, RivExcel Health, has entered a strategic partnership with Neuro Spinal Hospital (NSH), a renowned healthcare institution with advanced services in comprehensive oncology, orthopedics, neurology, neurosurgery, and spinal surgery.

RivExcel in a statement circulated to media houses said, “This collaboration aims to expand and enhance the medical tourism services provided by RivExcel Health, further solidifying their commitment to offering high-quality medical solutions to patients from Africa seeking treatment in Dubai.”

NLNG, Rivers Govt renew partnership on healthcare - NaijaAgroNet

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Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) and the Rivers State Government have renewed their partnership to  continue to develop the healthcare and infrastructure in the state, reports NaijaAgroNet.

The Executive Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, while welcoming the NLNG’s Executive Management led by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Philip Mshelbila and Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Olalekan Ogunleye, pledged the Rivers State government of the company’s continuous support for the State through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes to meet common goals of sustainable development (SDG).

MeCAM applauds FAO, WFP, Germany partnership on diet for school children - NaijaAgroNet

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… Partnership to boost school feed programme

The Media Centre Against Malnutrition (MeCAM) has commended the duo of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) for their joint efforts  to improve the diet of school-aged children, with the support from the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL).

MeCAM's National Coordinator, Mr. Remmy Nweke gave this commendation at the weekend, saying it would greatly support development of nutrition standards for school meal programmes across the world and Nigeria particularly.

FAO DG hails partnership potential with civil society -NaijaAgroNet

NaijaAgroNet:

Multiple level partnerships have been described as critical to achieving a world without hunger, FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu said Saturday at a meeting with leading exponents of civil society and indigenous peoples representing small scale food producers and family farmers.

"We need all of civil society to play an active role", the Director-General said in wide-ranging remarks underscoring the need to improve global food systems. "FAO is here to help you."

He addressed the annual Forum of the Civil Society and Indigenous Peoples' Mechanism (CSM), a vehicle for the participation of non-governmental actors in policy formulation at the Committee on World Food Security (CFS), itself a multistakeholder platform. Today's event focused on how to strengthen commitments to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2, also known as Zero Hunger.

A cornerstone of effective action means making sure "family farmers are the final beneficiaries," Qu added, noting that the UN Decade of Family Farming  offers a great opportunity to implement and leverage ideas and recommendations made by CFS.

He emphasized the importance of learning and working together for concrete solutions with "interaction, brainstorming and open minds." In this context, digital solutions can play a decisive role in improving the livelihoods of small scale and vulnerable food producers, particularly in relation to the impacts of climate change, according to the Director-General.

Qu also emphasized that FAO would pioneer youth and women engagement initiatives at all levels and highlighted the positive way that FAO's Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) helps generate economic value, knowledge and rural-development solutions.

"We need to defeat hunger and poverty, which are inextricably linked," said CFS Chair Mario Arvelo. "We need to use every tool in the toolbox, as the Director-General said."

CFS itself needs to continually expand its inclusiveness, Arvelo said.

The CSM is a self-organized body designed to give smallholder family farmers, non-governmental organizations, Indigenous Peoples, fisherfolks, herders, youth, consumers and other global citizens a voice in the work of the upcoming session of CFS, which starts on 14 October and lasts throughout the week.

The CSM's main message to the upcoming CFS session, which starts on Monday 15 October, is that "the possibility of attaining zero hunger is becoming more and more unlikely" and that policy initiatives need not just to be accelerated but to change direction.

The group noted with approval CFS progress in thematic areas such youth employment in agriculture and food systems and reiterated its priorities in the ongoing process of developing Voluntary Guidelines on Food Systems and Nutrition, an exercise expected to be completed in 2020.

Among the panelists alongside FAO's Director-General at Saturday's event were Silvia Dywilli from the World March of Women, Nettie Wiebe of La Via Campesina, Azra Sayeed of the International Women's Alliance and Musa Sowe of ROPPA, organizations representing a broad array of global regions.

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Environmental institute ISPRA joins FAO’s renewed partnership - NaijaAgroNet

NaijaAgroNet:

The Italian Institute for Environmental Research and Protection (ISPRA) has joined FAO and three of Italy's main research institutions - the National Research Council (CNR), the Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA), and the National Agency for New Technologies,  Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) - in a partnership aimed at enhancing sustainable food production and nutrition in developing countries, reports NaijaAgroNet.

"The world is facing unprecedented global challenges that affect the long-term sustainability of food and agriculture systems, impacting global food security and the livelihoods of millions of family farmers worldwide," said Maria Helena Semedo, FAO Deputy Director-General and Natural Resources Coordinator.  

With a world population expected to grow to nearly 10 billion people in 2050, , FAO estimates that agricultural output will need to increase by almost 50 percent compared to 2012 to meet projected food demand. Research is going to be crucial to help countries find the right balance between increasing agricultural productivity while sustainably managing valuable natural resources and conserving ecosystems.

"Italy's top research institutions can provide crucial expertise, information and science to move towards sustainable food systems and  the achievement of Zero Hunger by 2030," Semedo added.

"With this wide-ranging cooperation agreement Italy can better support FAO in the field of agriculture innovation for family farmers and smallholders. Together, we can  transform  agriculture and food systems to make them sustainable in innovative ways!" said Ambassador Pierfrancesco Sacco, Permanent Representative of the Italian Republic to the UN Agencies in Rome during the signing of the partnership. 

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Novartis enters 5-year partnership on malaria elimination, votes USD100m

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A five-year commitment to the fight against malaria has been entered by Novartis in conjunction with the 7th Multilateral Initiative on Malaria Conference and the Malaria Summit of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, reports NaijaAgroNet.

The company, NaijaAgroNet gathered, also released new African research on progress and remaining challenges toward the 2030 malaria elimination targets, together with Elimination 8 and the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust program.

Over the next five years, as part of its commitment, Novartis will invest more than USD 100 million to advance research and development of next-generation treatments to combat emerging resistance to artemisinin and other currently used antimalarials. The company will also implement an equitable pricing strategy to maximize patient access in malaria-endemic countries when these new treatments become available. In order to contribute to the WHO’s target of reducing malaria-related child mortality by at least 90% by 2030, Novartis will further help expand access to pediatric antimalarials and implement healthcare system strengthening programs in 4 sub-Saharan countries.

“Resistance to treatment presents the biggest threat to the incredible progress that has been made in the fight against malaria in the past 20 years. We cannot afford to wait; this is why we are committing to advance the research and development of next-generation treatments,” said Vas Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis. “At the same time, we need to work to ensure that our innovation reaches those most in need, even those in the most remote locations.”

The R&D investment is meant to advance the Novartis malaria pipeline through 2023 and to complete a comprehensive global clinical trial program for our novel antimalarial drug candidates KAF156 and KAE609 (currently in Phase IIb and Phase IIa respectively ^[1]). Both are from new classes of medicines that were selected for their ability to treat malaria in different ways from current therapies. The investment also includes new uses of technology to identify areas where the malaria burden is greatest. This information could then be used to support capability- and capacity-building to establish future clinical trial sites, so the medicines can be evaluated in the populations where they are most needed.

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RB Durex in partnership with PPFN on sexual health

NaijaAgroNet:

In accordance with RB’s continuous commitment to being a socially responsible organization, RB Durex has signed an agreement with the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN) to help improve the sexual health and wellbeing of Nigerians, reports NaijaAgroNet.

The scope of the partnership covers Sexual and Reproductive Health education and increasing consumer access to condoms by opening new channels and reaching consumers previously unreached.

According to a recent report by World Health Organization (WHO), ‘Every day, more than one million sexually transmitted infections are acquired worldwide, and each year an estimated 78 million people are infected, constituting a major health concern also in Nigeria.’ Sexual Health Education and Contraception are therefore twin preventive health strategies to curb this. Research and Real World data reveals that male latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, is an effective approach to achieve a reduction in the spread of sexually transmitted infections and prevent unintended pregnancy.

Rahul Murgai, the Managing Director of RB Nigeria and Dr Ibrahim M. Ibrahim, the Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN) were optimistic that the joint efforts of the two organizations will help drive the sexual and reproductive health agenda in Nigeria.

Speaking about the partnership with PPFN, Rahul Murgai said, “RB is excited to partner with PPFN to create scaled awareness and education in Nigeria on planned-parenthood, maternal health, safe contraception techniques and targeted reduction in HIV related deaths through the effective and consistent use of condoms. Through this collaboration, consumers will have the requisite education and empowerment to improve their Sexual Health with easy access to Durex- the World number 1 condom brand.” 

Over the years RB has been at the forefront for cause-related initiatives that further the progress of Nigeria on UN Sustainable Development Goals such as reduction in infant mortality from preventable diseases such as diarrhea and malaria, improved public health and sanitation from reduced open defecation problem and now partnering to reduce HIV related deaths. Its brands, which are popular household names such as Dettol, Mortein and Harpic, have active partnerships with Federal Ministry of Health (MoH), Save the Children (STC), Nigerian Medical association which work to educate new mothers, school children and reach LGAs like Shomolu in Lagos to promote good healthy habits like handwashing and to build a healthier nation.

The Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN) is a national non-governmental organization and a leading advocate and provider of sexual and reproductive health services. PPFN is a member of the global movement that strives for universal access to reproductive health services to all (including poor, marginalized, vulnerable and socially excluded people) without discrimination.  According to Dr Ibrahim “this partnership will contribute towards PPFN’s objective of expanding access to quality services particularly for young persons in Nigeria.”

The PPFN and Durex strategic partnership will go a long way in reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS and other STIs. It will also contribute to reducing the incidence of unwanted/unplanned pregnancy and unsafe abortion as well as significantly improving the overall level of health and well-being in Nigeria.

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Public, Private Partnership to boost African healthcare indicators

NaijaAgroNet:

The chairman of the African Healthcare Federation, Dr Amit Thakker, has said that increased spending on healthcare in the public and private sectors across the African continent have resulted in improved health indicators and life expectancies, reports NaijaAgroNet.

Thakker, a speaker at the Africa Health Exhibition & Congress noted that the progress of this improvement is extremely slow and not commensurate with the increase in funding.

Also Thakker pointed out that the private healthcare sector,  as well as non-government organisations (NGOs) are well placed to help improve healthcare across the continent, and while there have been Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), stressing, these need to be stepped up if Africa wants to beat its healthcare challenges.

According to Thakker, these poor outcomes reflect challenges with governance and leadership, while noting that budget allocations in a number of African countries are relatively large, but unfortunately inefficiencies reduce their impact substantially.

“We would have saved twice as many children and women if governments were efficient,” Thakker declared.

Leader of Deloitte Digital Africa, and leader for Healthcare and Life Sciences, Valter Adão says “Healthcare spend is often sizeable in dollar terms but low relative to GDP, like in Nigeria, or reasonably comparable to European countries but the outcomes are poor, like in South Africa.”

“The deviation from the traditional PPP models is that governments would not be the recipients, but owners or implementers and perhaps even the investors into these solutions,” Adão recently told the World Economic Forum.

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FAO, Japan strategise on how to bolster stronger partnership

NaijaAgroNet:

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and Japan have concluded a high-level meeting meant on bolstering stronger partnership, reports NaijaAgroNet.

The talks, NaijaAgroNet gathered centred on Sustainable Development Goals and improving outreach to Japanese public.

The meeting hosted by FAO saw a delegation from Japan attending in a bid for both sides to commit to a strong relationship between the UN agency responsible for fighting hunger and its second-largest contributor to the core budget.

Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries sent a number of senior officials to the meeting, one of a series aimed at crafting a strategic plan for further advancing the key partnership. The broader Japanese delegation underscored the increasingly geopolitical nature of assuring food security and putting agriculture on a sustainable and responsible footing in an era of globalization and border-hopping challenges such as climate change.

Japan is a major advocate of the Sustainable Development Agenda, which targets the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger everywhere by 2030.

Along with being the No. 2 donor to FAO's regular budget after the United States of America, Japan has been a major funder of emergency relief projects, notably in Afghanistan and in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. It also by choice boosts FAO's resources for work on the Codex Alimentarius - the world's food safety guidelines - as well as capacity-building efforts to help developing countries assess their vulnerability to climate stress, South-South cooperation initiatives sharing Japanese rice-growing and aquaculture techniques with African nations.

Japan is also a robust sponsor of the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems conservation effort and is home to eight of those designated sites.

The meeting aimed at advancing coordinated approaches to key goals, including concrete actions and longer-term plans that can further strengthen the partnership and make progress towards the SDGs.

In addition, NaijaAgroNet reports that Japanese officials including those in charge of economic security, international organizations and agriculture, were briefed on FAO's resilience-boosting programmes for emergency efforts, the ongoing effort to combat desertification in the Sahel and Horn of Africa, nutrition initiatives in Africa, various developments in the fisheries and forestry sectors, as well as on FAO's work in linking smallholder farmers to commercial markets, its partnership strategy with the private sector, and on the guidelines for Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems.

The visitors also discussed FAO's Strategic Framework and 2018-21 Medium Term Plan and the results-based management of the Organization's current activities.

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World Farmers lights up Zambia with ‘Partnership for growth’

NaijaAgroNet:

The sixth session of the World Farmers Organisation (WFO) General Assembly 2016 commenced in the city of Livingstone, Zambia on Wednesday will last till Saturday, with main theme on ‘Partnership for Growth’ reports NaijaAgroNet.

The theme, NaijaAgroNet also reports was in view to promote the importance of a farmer-centric approach of the sector-lead to the work programme of WFO.

The Secretary General of WFO, Marco Marzano de Marinis, opened the event at the AVANI Victoria Falls Resort, Livingstone, Zambia, bringing together WFO members and non member farmers’ organizations from about 60 countries worldwide, ministers, key government representatives as well as UN officials, academia and research institutions.

NaijaAgroNet also reports that WFO General Assembly built momentum on the status of arts of the organization as well as to set goals and achievements and also to focus on innovative solutions for the upcoming years.

Marinis also noted that last year represented a crucial year for the international community works towards the achievement of a global sustainability, pointing out that the WFO has been very much involved in the overall negotiation process for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including representing the voice of farmers in the six interactive dialogues organised in 2015, in consultation with the United Nations Member States.

WFO further commended the farmers’ advocacy work, stressing that an entire goal number 2 is dedicated to food security and agriculture.

NaijaAgroNet reports that in recognition of the central role played by the WFO during the negotiations for the SDGs and Agenda 2030, as well as, its active participation in ECOSOC work, the WFO was invited to address the plenary session of the 2015 United Nations General Assembly in New York, on 26th September 2015.

At COP21, WFO, as leader of the farmers’ constituency, attended with a huge delegation and was actively engaged in a series of activities to raise awareness of the critical role agriculture plays in climate change mitigation and adaptation actions.

For WFO President, Evelyn Nguleka said that the 2016 General Assembly of the WFO held under the overarching theme of Partnership for Growth, with a view to promote the importance of a holistic approach to the agricultural sector, where different actors stand together for the same goal implementing sustainable food systems; ensure that farmers of the world gain an effective position in the food chain; look after the environment; implement together the Sustainable Development Goals and the Agenda 2030.

“Establishing effective partnership is and remains a great priority of the WFO” she said.

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ASFRAD seeks to empower 500 fishery millionaires

NaijaAgroNet:

The Anambra State Fisheries Revolution and Development (ASFRAD) programme is expanding partnership to empower 500 fishery millionaires, reports NaijaAgroNet.

ASFRAD, NaijaAgroNet gathered had recently embarked on a lot of research, trainings and youth empowerment programmes to achieve this goal.

Sources to close to the government of Anambra State confirmed to NaijaAgroNet that a youth empowerment and entrepreneurial initiative being managed by the Special Adviser to Governor Willie Obiano on Fisheries, Mr. Emeka Iloghalu, was held with the objective of making Anambra State Nigeria's number one in fish-farming.

NaijaAgroNet, equally gathered that recently, two major investors in the Fisheries sector, Chief Akai Egwuonwu of Stine Industries, Amichi and Chief Ben Egonu of Osummanu Fish Estate and Tourism Ltd, Ossomala, joined the Governor's programme of creating a minimum of 500 young millionaires from the fisheries sector in the next 1 year by sponsoring the training and empowerment of young fish farmers.

The first batch of 500 persons, NaijaAgroNet reports, are currently at the world-class Osummanu Fish Estate and Tourism Resort at Ossomala, Ogbaru Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State undergoing necessary training in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanization, Processing and Export.

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Pix by Emeka Iloghalu and Arinze Awogu

DTMA, CIMMYT partner to produce drought-tolerant maize

NaijaAgroNet:

The Drought Tolerant Maize for Africa (DTMA) partnership with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), has produced a drought-resistant maize NaijaAgroNet reports.

Other partners and funders who will on Monday convene in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to take stock of the score-card, as a marathon maize project winds up after eight years include Consultative Group for International Research (CGIAR), International Institute of Tropical Agriculture and the Consultative Group for International Research (CGIAR).

DTMA  work in Africa on improved drought-tolerant maize, NaijaAgroNet gathered, was to help maize farmers in sub-Saharan Africa mitigate drought as well as contribute to a stronger food system in 13 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, through more than 200 improved maize varieties aimed at helping farmers cope with climate change and low-fertility soils through collaboration.

A release copied to Ghana News Agency said DTMA has benefited from, and drawn on, rich partnerships with private and public institutions with concerted efforts by national research organisations, seed companies, including CIMMYT, IITA and CGIAR.

The DTMA partnership has released more than 200 drought-tolerant maize varieties that perform significantly better under moderate drought compared to varieties already on the market, while yielding at par with – or better – than these existing varieties when there is no drought.

The 13 DTMA target countries, NaijaAgroNet learnt, are Ghana, Angola, Benin, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.According to the release, more than two million farmers have acquired and grown the new drought-tolerant varieties in DTMA target countries.

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Mal-nutrient: Benue purchases 10m Enrich, partner Bio-Organics

NaijaAgroNet:

The purchase of 10 million sachets of micro-nutrient powder (MNP) known as Enrich, Benue State Government has paved the way for a strong partnership between the state and the manufacturers, Bio-Organics Nutrient Systems Limited, NaijaAgroNet reports.

NaijaAgroNet gathered that this effort would tackle the scourge of malnutrition by distributing the food fortifying MNP to 86,000 children in the state.

The distribution of the micro-nutrients food powder commenced last December and would last till May 2014, so as to fortify them against malnutrition and diseases associated with micro-nutrients deficiency.

The First Lady of the State, Mrs. Dooshima Suswam, said there was need to address the problem of malnutrition in Benue with the MNP because the lack of nutritious food, poor feeding practices and children not getting enough nutritious food lead to malnutrition, which is the underlying cause of about half of deaths recorded in children under age of five years and severe acute malnutrition affecting millions of Nigerian children.

Also, she expressed delight with the innovation strategy aimed at reducing infant mortality in the state.

“Benue State Government has procured 10 million sachet of MNP for distribution to 86,000 children between age of 6 months and 59 months during the Maternal Newborn and Child Health Weeks (MNCHWs) of December 2013 and May 2014.

“A sachet of MNP contains 15 micronutrients that are supposed to be added to the food of a child at the point of consumption. The overall strategy is to adopt a state-driven approach that is built upon existing routine and outreach health services delivery system with increased mobilisation of communities during the specified months of MNCHWs,” she said.

For the Chief Executive Officer, Bio-Organics Nutrients Systems Limited, Dr. Kenny Acholonu, “most complementary and staple foods lack sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals required for optimal growth and development of children, especially in the first 1000 days of life. But, with the use of Enrich as part of their food, these essential micronutrients will be supplied in sufficient quantities.

“We, therefore, want to use this opportunity to urge mothers to adopt MNP as part of their children’s feeding routine and use them according to the instructions of the health workers. Doing this diligently, will enhance the health, growth and development of the children, which will favourably complement the efforts of the state and all the stakeholders involved,” he said.

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Pix: Gov. Suswam

BioFISA records achievement against hunger

An initiative of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), BioFISA after four years of operation can now boost of some achievements in fighting hunger, curing diseases as well as livestock sustainability.

NEPAD revealed to NaijaAgroNet in a press statement that BioFISA over the past four years has made effective progress in the areas of the control of HIV infection, livestock disease and development of plant genetic resources guidelines.

The Director of the NEPAD Southern African Network for Bioscience (SANBio), Prof Luke Mumba attributed the achievements to the use of biosciences at BioFISA's primary strategy and continued support from the governments of the Finland and South Africa.

According to Prof. Mumba, BioFISA has helped small-scale farmers in growing and preserving mushroom, developing fish farming and promoting indigenous knowledge systems and scientific validation of traditional remedies.

“Now that we have started making use of the treasure in Africa, there is an imperative need to now focus on preserving, protecting and responsibly sharing indigenous knowledge within African communities to build synergies,” Prof Mumba added.

Speaking about the achievements of BioFISA, a Senior Coordinator of NEPAD's CEO’s Office, Mr. Abdoul Salam Bello said the programmes has affected over 600 small-scale mushroom growers in Malawi, Namibia and Swaziland, while training more than 100 agriculture extension officers and researchers from Angola, Namibia, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland and Zambia in mushroom farming.

NaijaAgroNet further gathered that BioFISA which is a Finland and Southern Africa Partnership Programme to Strengthen NEPAD/SANBio currently covers eight research and development projects in 12 Southern African countries in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Seychelles, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

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ECOWAS partner UNDP to boost food production

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have partnered in a scheme towards value addition for a number of key crops in the West Africa sub-region.

The partnership seeks to boost food production in the sub-region while creating jobs, increasing farmers' income opportunities and Small and Medium Enterprise that deal with cash crops.

Some of the crops sidelined for the initiative include mangoes, onions and cassavas. NaijaAgroNet learnt that Cassava has been chosen following its classification as staple food in Sierra Leone and Ghana over the past three years while Nigeria is on the forefront of its producers in the region.

Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Mali are the leading producers of onion in the region, however NaijaAgroNet further gathered that these three countries face stiff competition from farmers in Europe, Asia and North Africa as regards quality and packaging.

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